Erza and Kyôka's battle is interrupted when the wizards and demons hear a mysterious roaring sound in the distance. To their dread, they all recognize the sound as Acnologia, who wreaks destruction as he prepares to descend on the two guilds. Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy, Sting and Rogue are immobilized as they begin to pulsate violently. Natsu suddenly hears Igneel's voice saying the time has come for him to stop Acnologia, and watches in awe as the missing fire dragon emerges from his body, revealed to have been inside him all along.